On the other hand, as he did not count upon being at sea till midnight, this would simply mean exchanging one hiding-place for another; but, all things considered, it was imperative that he should stay no longer at the Hall.
This decided, Rupert was called in to divest himself of his clothes, and soon afterwards he sent down the bundle, and with it Barbara sought the stranger, while Matthew, feeling very well satisfied with the day's work, sauntered to the stables to examine the wounds of the Roundhead soldiers.

He found them groaning, but in a way to recover, and then, calling the boys, he set them to prepare the horses against their journey.

It was approaching evening, but the month being June, there was no chance of a dark departure, even if they waited as late as half-past eight, so that one hour of leaving was almost as safe as another.
Barbara found her prisoner very tired of his confinement, and very hungry.

She explained the cause of her delay, and, leaving him to change into the clothes as quickly as he might, she hurried off for food.

When she came back, the young man, looking for all the world like a darker Rupert, was standing in the library with his own clothes in his hand.
"My brother will tell you what has been devised for you," Barbara said.
"Thank you," he replied, putting out his hand.